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Two Thirds of North East Children Awaiting Adoption are in Sibling Groups

ByEmily

Oct 11, 2017 #adoption, #life

68% of the children in the North East waiting for adoptive families are brothers and sisters in groups of 2 or more, according to new information published today to mark National Adoption Week (16-22nd October).  Figures from national adoption information service, First4Adoption, based on the latest government information*, show that sibling groups wait longer than single children to be placed with a “forever family”.

Councillor Wayne Daley, cabinet member for children’s services at Northumberland County Council, said: “The majority of people adopting for the first time choose to take a single child into their family.

“Also, it is often in the best interests of the children that a sibling group finds a family together rather than experience further trauma by being separated.

“This presents an extra challenge for social workers and these factors account for the high proportion of siblings in our region waiting for an adoptive family”.

The new research based on data from the Adoption Register for England also reveals that:
·        53% of sibling groups awaiting adoption in the North East are children aged under 4
·        53% of these groups awaiting adoption are made up of boys
·        11% of the siblings groups awaiting adoption are Black and Minority Ethnic children

Cllr Daley added, “We’re asking anyone who may be considering adoption to think about whether they could parent siblings. There’s no denying that having more than one child comes with real challenges but it also has advantages and brings great rewards. If you’re interested in finding out more, please contact the Council Adoption team today.”

By Emily